Performance Review: Austin Allegro 2 Super De Luxe 1500 - [1977]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Austin Allegro Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Austin Allegro 2 Super De Luxe 1500 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1977. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1977 Porsche 911 Turbo and the 1978 BMW M1 3.5 2d Manual.This particular Austin Allegro has a 1485cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Allegro shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Allegro's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 870 kgs (1918 lbs) this makes the Austin Allegro 2 Super De Luxe 1500 in the same weight category as the 2013 Alfa-Romeo 4C 1.8 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Austin Allegro shares the same bhp with the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 bhp)

In terms of power the 1485cc 8V St4 engine produces 64 bhp (47 kW) @ 5500 rpm similar to the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 bhp) or the 2005 Citroen C1 1.0 VTR 3dr (67 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 80 lb-ft (108.4 Nm) @ 3100 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 lb-ft) or the 2012 Lexus CT 200h 1.8L (105 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Austin Allegro you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2000 Alfa-Romeo 166 2.0 ts (98.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Austin Allegro.

The Austin Allegro has a Power to weight ratio of 73.5 bhp per ton and 91.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1977 Allegro competing with the 2000 Alfa-Romeo 166 2.0 ts (98.5 bhp per ton) or the 1970 Ford Cortina MkIII 2000GT (98.0 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Austin Allegro generating around 91.9 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1990 Audi Quattro 2.2T (116.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 1950 Jaguar Mark VII 3.4L (116.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 15.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 15.7 secs, this made the Austin Allegro 2 Super De Luxe 1500 as fast as the 1958 Rover P5 Mk1/1A (16.00 secs) the 1994 Toyota Land Cruiser 3.0 TD (16.40 secs) the 1980 Porsche 911 SC (16.50 secs) the or the 1961 Skoda Felicia 1.1L Cabriolet (16.80 secs). This Austin Allegro 2 Super De Luxe 1500 is also faster than the 1958 Rover P5 Mk1/1A (16.00 secs) the 1994 Toyota Land Cruiser 3.0 TD (16.40 secs) the 1980 Porsche 911 SC (16.50 secs) the and the 1961 Skoda Felicia 1.1L Cabriolet (16.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Allegro and the 1984 Chevrolet Corvette C4 350

When talking about the performance of the Austin Allegro on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 19.36 secs @ 70.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1984 Chevrolet Corvette C4 350 (19.28 secs), the 1972 Jensen Healey 2.0 16v (19.28 secs), and the 1989 Citroen XM 3.0 V6 (19.29 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1977 version of the Austin Allegro 2 Super De Luxe 1500 has a maximum speed of 92mph.

Top Speed of the 1977 Allegro equals the 1970 Ford Escort MK1 Mexico RS (103 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1977 Austin Allegro 2 Super De Luxe 1500 then how about the 1970 Ford Escort MK1 Mexico RS (103 mph), the 1970 Ford Cortina MkIII 2000GT (103 mph), or the 1969 Plymouth Road Runner 440 V8 1st Gen (103 mph).

Related Links:

1977 Allegro Rivals List.

A Brief History of Austin

Car Comparison